Although compact in size at just 5'9" and 175 pounds, Fred Berry packed a punch when it came to points production while playing junior hockey in British Columbia. During his final year in the BCJHL he potted 60 goals and 136 points in 60 games to lead the league. The following year he moved up to the WCJHL with the New Westminster Bruins where he had 75 points in 69 games. The Bruins won the league title and advanced to the Memorial Cup finals where they lost to the Hamilton Fincups, the Ontario champions. Berry returned for a second season in New Westminster and scored 59 goals and 146 points. Once again the Bruins took the WCJHL title advancing to the Memorial Cup where they were victorious. Berry was Detroit's third pick, 40th overall in the 1976 NHL Amateur Draft. He played the only three games of his NHL career in 1976-77 but failed to record a point. Berry spent the rest of his pro career with various clubs in the IHL including close to eight years in Milwaukee, where he remained with his family after retiring from playing in 1987. Berry and his brother Bill were the founders of Hockey Haven, a hockey training camp for kids in Milwaukee. They remain at the forefront of day-to-day operations of the camps along with several other former NHL players. For many years Berry was also associated with collegiate hockey in Wisconsin, coaching the Marquette University Warriors from 1987 to 1991. |